Cigarette package construction or the like



Aug. 16, 1966 w. c. WHITAKER ET 3,266,709

CIGARETTE PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION OR THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS R mm m WT CY WWW U a WJ A w s Y E N R O n A R E H T Aug. 16, 1966 W. C. WHITAKER ET CIGARETTE PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION OR THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L 5- 30 j/ Z g 17 36 INVENTORS WILLIAM C.WH|TAKER JOSEPH Y. THOMAS THEIR ATTORNEYS 3,266,709 @IGARE'ITE PACKAGE @QNS'IRUCTION OR THE LIKE William C. Whitaker, Chesterfield Qounty, and Joseph Y. Thomas, Henrico County, Va., assignors to Reynolds Metals Qompany, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 16, W64, Ser. No. 352,085 g tClaims. (Cl. 229-511) This invention relates to an improved package construction and to improved parts for such a package construction or the like. In addition, this invention relates to improved methods for making and opening such a package construction and to methods for making parts for such a package construction or the like.

It is Well known that, in the past, cigarettes and the like have normally been packaged in a foil laminated liner having an upper open end normally closed by portions of the liner folded over in overlapping relation. The thus folded liner is placed in a paper cup-like member so that the top of the liner is exposed at the open end of the paper cup-like member. The top overlapping portions of the liner were normally secured in their overlapping positions by the conventional revenue tape-like stamp disposed over the overlapping portions and extending downwardly along the opposed side walls of the paper cup-like member.

However, the act requiring the use of such revenue stamps for cigarettes and the like has been eliminated whereby manufacturers now utilize a similar tape-like member in place of the prior used revenue stamp to serve the same purpose of holding the overlapping portions of the cigarette liner in their closed position, such tapelike member being formed of paper or the like and usually carrying advertising or informational media.

Thereafter, a cellophane overwrap is provided over the entire package construction.

Thus, when the ultimate consumer desired to Open such prior known package construction, he removed the top portion of the cellophane overwrap by a pull string arrangement and grasped the upper overlapping portion of the liner adjacent the tape-like member and pulled thereon to sever that part of the overlapping portion adjacent the edge of the tape-like member. Thereafter, he grasped the underlying portion of the liner at the open end thereof and peeled the same backwardly in the same manner to sever that part from the remainder of that particular portion adjacent the tape-like member whereby access means was provided to the interior of the liner.

Usually, the ultimate consumer completely separated the opened portion of the liner from the remainder thereof by tearing the opened portion of the liner against the adjacent supporting edge of the paper cup-like member.

However, according to the teachings of this invention, an improved container for the above described purpose is provided wherein not only does the tape-like member secure the overlapping portions of the container in their closed positions, but also, the tape-like member provides the means for readily opening the parts of the overlapping portions of the container to provide access means to the interior thereof in a novel manner.

In particular, the tape-like member of this invention has a pull tab portion which, when pulled away from the container, separates from the remainder of the tape-like member and opens the parts of the overlapping portions of the container at the open end thereof adjacent the tape-like member to provide the access means to the interior thereof.

In addition, this invention provides a container for cigarettes or the like wherein the conventional paper cuplike member and cellophane overwrap can be completely "ice eliminated, if desired, while still permitting the ultimate consumer to simply and effectively remove the opened portion of the container without the use of the supporting edge of the conventional paper cup-like member.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved package construction having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such a package construction or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for closing and opening such a package construction or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method for making parts for such a package construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved package construction of this invention, the package construction being illustrated in its closed position.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the method of initially opening the package construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4-6 are views similar to FIGURE 3 and illustrate other steps in the opening of the package construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of an improved blank of this invention for forming the container of the package construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view illustrating the blank of this invention for forming the tape-like member for closing the open end of the container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 is a rear view of the blank illustrated in FIGURE 8 and illustrates the method of applying adhesive to the under side thereof.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable for forming a package construction for cigarettes or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide package constructions for other articles as desired.

In addition, while the opening means of this invention are illustrated and described in connection with a package construction for cigarettes wherein the conventional cellophane overwrap and paper cup-like member are eliminated, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized with conventional cigarette package constructions and the like.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved package construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a flexible container 11 having the upper end thereof closed by overlapping portions 12 and 13 of the container 11 in a manner hereinafter described. The overlapping portions 12 and 13 are held in their closed positions by a tape-like member 14 disposed centrally over the overlapping portions 12 and 13 and being secured to the container 11 in a manner hereinafter described, the tape-like member 14 either holding the overlapping portions 12 and 13 in their closed positions by itself or in combination with adk hesive means in.a manner hereinafter set forth.

The container 11 is adapted to have the conventional number of cigarettes 15 or the like packaged therein in a conventional manner by suitable apparatus.

When it is desired to initially open the package construction 10 of this invention, the ultimate consumer merely grasps an end portion 16 of a pull-tab portion 17 of the tape-like member 14 and pulls the same away from the container 11 to cause the pull-tab portion 17 to separate from the remainder of the member 14 and open a part 18 of the overlapping portion 12 of the container 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3. Thereafter, the part 19 of the overlapping portion 13 can be opened in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 so that ready access to the contents inside the container 11 can be effected in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Thereafter, the open parts 18 and 19 of the overlapping portions 12 and 13 of the container 11 of this invention can be subsequently closed by folding the parts 18 and 19 back in their closed positions in much the same manner as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Alternately, the parts 18 and 19 of the overlapping portions 12 and 13 of the container 11 can be severed therefrom by tearing the same from the open end of the container 11 in the conventional manner of providing a permanent opening in the prior known cigarette packages as illustrated in FIGURE 6 and as hereinafter described.

The particular details of the package construction 10 of this invention will now be described.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, an improved container blank of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and can be formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner.

For example, the container blank 20 of this invention can comprise a lamination of a strip of metallic foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil or the like, laminated to a paper backing material or the like. In this manner, the foil side of the blank 20 can form the exterior of the container 11 to not only provide a moisture impervious barrier around the contents of the container 11, but also to provide a decorative package construction.

However, the blank 20 can be formed of any other desired material or materials, if desired.

The blank 20 is adapted to be folded into the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 1 to form the substantially rectangular container 11 illustrated in FIGURE 1 in a conventional manner by conventional apparatus and be secured in the rectangular configuration by a suitable adhesive or the like.

For example, the blank 20 can have a suitable heat sealable pattern 21 placed thereon in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7 to permit the blank 20 to be secured together in the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 1.

However, when the blank 20 of this invention is initially formed, the portions 12 and 13 thereof are respectively provided with slits 22 and 23 which'extend inwardly from the edge 24 thereof toward a crease or score line 25 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 but terminating short of the crease line 25 to insure freshness of the contents of the package construction 10 without an excess of openings into the interior thereof, the slits 22 and 23 respectively defining the parts 18 and 19 of the portions 12 and 13 which provide access means to the interior of the container 11 in the manner previously described and in the manner more fully set forth hereinafter.

It can be seen that the slit 22 is longer than the slit 23 for a purpose that will be apparent hereinafter to insure a more easy opening of the package construction 10.

The tape-like member 14 of the package construction 10 of this inevntion can be formed of any suitable material in any suitable manner. 7

For example, the tape-like member 14 can comprise paper, a foil laminate similar to the blank 20, plastic or the like and can be formed from the blank 26 of this invention illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9.

In particular, it can be seen in FIGURE 6 that the blank 26 of this invention is substantially rectangular and is defined by two pairs of opposed edges 27, 28 and 29, 30.

The blank 26 is provided with a transversely disposed tear line 31 disposed closely adjacent the end edge 28 thereof to define the pull-tab portion 17. For example, the tear line 31 can comprise a perforated line or a series of spaced, aligned slits, as illustrated, score or other means.

In any event, the tear line 31 is so constructed and arranged that the pull-tab portion 17 is adapted to separate from the remainder of the tape-like member 14 when the same is pulled relative thereto in the manner previously set forth.

If desired, the word pull could be printed on the front side of the end portion 16 of the pull-tab portion 17 and directional arrows could be printed on the front side of the remaining portion of the pull tab 17 to fully indicate to the ultimate consumer the proper way of initially opening the package construction 10.

When it is desired to utilize the tape-like member 14 of this invention to initially close the upper open end of the container 11 of this invention, suitable adhesive can be placed on the under surface of the blank 26 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9.

For example, a pair of longitudinally disposed strips of adhesive 32 and 33 can be placed completely along the under surface of the tape-like member 14 on the part thereof which will remain on the container 11 after the container 11 has been initially opened.

In addition, adhesive 34 can be placed on the pull-tab portion 17 of the tape-like member 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9 whereby the grasping end portion 16 thereof has no adhesive placed on the rear of the same.

In this manner, the tape-like member 14 is adapted to be secured to the'container 11 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 whereby the grasping portion 16 of the pull-tab portion 17 thereof is held tightly against the panel 35 of the container 11 even though the same is not secured thereto.

However, the ultimate consumer is adapted to readily insert a fingernail or the like under the pull portion 16 of the pull-tab 17 to lift the same and permit the same to be grasped and pulled away from the container 11 so that the pull-tab portion 17 will separate from the remainder of the tape-like member 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3.

As the pull-tab portion 17 is being pulled away from the container 11, it can be seen that the adhesive 34 on the blank 26 in FIGURE 9 secures the pull-tab portion 17 to the part 18 of the overlapping portion 12 of the container 11 in such a manner that the part 18 is opened therewith when the pull-tab portion 17 is moved to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the slit 22 permitting the part 18 to be so moved and tearing the remainder of the way to the crease line 25.

Thereafter, the ultimate consumer pulls on the part 19 of the overlapping portion 12 of the container 10 to move the same to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 whereby access means can be provided to the contents of the container 10 regardless of whether the parts 18 and 19 are to be completely removed from the container 11 or not, as desired, the slit 23 permitting the part 19 to be so moved and tearing the remainder of the Way to the crease line 25. e

Since the tape-like member'14 is disposed over the overlapping portionsfl an d 13 of the container 11 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 3, it can be seen that only the pull-tab portion 17 of the secured tapelike member 14 is superimposed over the slits 22 and 23 in the portions 12 and 13 of the receptacle 11 whereby the parts 18 and 19 of the portions 12 and 13 readily separate from the remainder thereof when the pull-tab portion 17 is pulled in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 3.

If the ultimate consumer desires to remove the opened part of package construction in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6, the preformed crease 25 in the blank readily facilitates such removal as the same acts similarly to the supporting edge of the conventional paper cuplike member previously described.

In view of the above, it can be seen that the tape-like member 14 of this invention can be utilized with or without the adhesive securement means 21 on the overlapping portions 12 and 13 of the container 10 whereby, in any event, the tape-like member tends to hold the overlapping portions 12 and 13 in their closed positions.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved package construction as well as improved parts for such a package construction or the like.

Further, this invention provides an improved method for opening and closing such a package construction as well as improved methods for making parts for such a package construction or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a container having opposed sides and having an opened end closed by portion means of said container, and a tape-like member disposed over said portion means and being secured to said opposed sides of said container to tend to hold said portion means in its closed position, said tape-like member having an integral pull tab portion that is defined by tear means formed longitudinally in said tape-like member, said pull tab portion being adapted to be grasped and pulled to separate from the remainder of said member along said tear means and open part of said portion means adjacent said memher to provide access means to the interior of said container, said pull tab portion of said tape-like member comprising a side edge part thereof that extends from one side of said container to the opposed side thereof across said end.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is creased adjacent said portion means to facilitate separation of said part from said container.

3. In combination, a container having opposed sides and having an opened end closed by portion means of said container, said portion means having a part thereof separated from the remainder thereof by slit means, and a tape-like member disposed over said portion means and said slit means and being secured to said opposed sides of said container to tend to hold said portion means in its closed position, said tape-like member having an integral pull tab portion that is defined by tear means formed longitudinally in said tape-like member, said pull tab portion being adapted to be grasped and pulled to separate from the remainder of said member along said tear means and open said part of said portion means that is disposed adjacent said member to provide access means to the interior'of said container, said pull tab portion of said tape-like member comprising a side edge part thereof that extends from one side of said container to the opposed side thereof across said end.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pull tab portion is secured to said part of said portion means.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein only said pull tab portion of said member is disposed over said slit means.

6. In combination, a container having opposed sides and having an opened end closed by portions of said container folded in overlapping relation, and a tape-like member disposed over said overlapping portions and being secured to said opposed sides of said container to tend to hold said overlapping portions in their closed positions, said tape-like member having an integral pull tab portion that is defined by tear means formed longitudinally in said tape-like member, said pull tab portion being adapted to be grasped and pulled to separate from the remainder of said member along said tear means and open part of said overlapping portions adjacent said member to provide access means to the interior of said container, said pull tab portion of said tape-like member comprising a side edge part thereof that extends from one side of said container to the opposed side thereof across said end.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said container comprises a metallic foil lamination or the like.

8. In combination, a container having opposed sides and having an opened end closed by portions of said container folded in overlapping relation, said portions respectively having parts thereof separated from the remainder thereof by slit means, and a tape-like member disposed over said portions and said slit means and being secured to said opposed sides of said container to tend to hold said portions in their closed positions, said tapelike member having an integral pull tab portion that is defined by tear means formed longitudinally in said tapelike member, said pull tab portion being adapted to 'be grasped and pulled to separate from the remainder of said member along said tear means and open said parts of said portions that are disposed adjacent said member to provide access means to the interior of said container, said pull tab portion of said tape-like member comprising a side edge part thereof that extends from one side of said container to the opposed side thereof across said end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,025 5/ 1901 Shields.

1,785,639 '12/ 1930 Maurer 229-87 X 1,827,636 10/1931 Ames 229-51 2,005,351 6/ 1935 Rosenblatt 229-51 2,009,835 7/1935 Burke 229-87 X 2,096,102 10/ 1937 Gordon 2'29-51 2,109,100 2/1938 Brophy 229-87 2,283,102 5/ 1942 Stephano 229-51 2,347,381 4/ 1944 West 229-51 X 2,476,564 7/1949 Roscn 229-87 X 2,709,548 5/ 1955 Gilbert 229-51 2,844,298 7/ 1958 Tamarin 229-51 2,984,342 5/ 1961 Smith.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. COMBINATION, A CONTAINER HAVING OPPOSED SIDES AND HAVING AN OPENED END CLOSED BY POSITION MEANS OF SAID CONTAINER, AND A TAPE-LIKE MEMBER DISPOSED OVER SAID PORTION MEANS AND BEING SECURED TO SAID OPPOSED SIDES OF SAID CONTAINER TO TEND TO HOLD SAID PORTION MEANS IN ITS CLOSED POSITION, SAID TAPE-LIKE MEMBER HAVING AN INTEGRAL PULL TAB PORTION THAT IS DEFINED BY TEAR MEANS FORMED LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID TAPE-LIKE MEMBER, SAID PULL TAB PORTION BEING ADAPTED TO BE GRASPED AND PULLED TO SEPARATE FROM THE REMAINDER OF SAID MEMBER ALONG SAID TEAR MEANS AND OPEN PART OF SAID PORTION MEANS ADJACENT SAID MEMBER TO PROVIDE ACCESS MEANS TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID PULL TAB PORTION OF SAID TAPE-LIKE MEMBER COMPRISING A SIDE EDGE PART THEREOF THAT EXTENDS FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID CONTAINER TO THE OPPOSED SIDE THEREOF ACROSS SAID END. 